Series of earthquakes hit near Florida-Alabama border

FLOMATON, Ala. (AP) - A series of small earthquakes hit south Alabama within hours of each other near the Florida line.

The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 2.6 earthquake was recorded about 8 miles (13 kilometers) northwest of Flomaton around 11 p.m. Thursday. There are no damage reports.

The Geological Survey says stronger earthquake with a magnitude of 2.8 hit nearby Thursday afternoon, and a magnitude 2.5 quake occurred a few hours earlier.

The cluster is about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Pensacola, Florida.

Several other earthquakes have been detected in the same area in recent weeks.

Government researchers are trying to determine whether the quakes are related to oil and gas operations in the area. The U.S. Geological Survey is working with its partners to deploy seismometers around the area.